United Airlines is returning to Willard Airport.
The airline announced Tuesday it will resume flights to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on April 30. There will be four flights daily year-round. Ticket sales will begin Thursday, Jan. 29.
“We are continuously working to increase Willard Aiport’s reach,” Tim Bannon, Willard’s executive director, said. “United’s return to the market will increase our daily seats by more than 50 percent, ensuring more people can fly Champaign-Urbana.”
United last offered service at the Savoy airport in 2018. United has had an on-again, off-again relationship with Willard for years. When United flights to O’Hare began in 2017, it was to great fanfare. United ended that service a year later, citing a nationwide pilot shortage.
Now it appears United is using CMI as part of its strategy to go after American Airlines, which like United uses O’Hare as a hub.
United’s press release didn’t mention American by name but made clear its intentions: It wants to be the dominant carrier at O’Hare. In addition to the resumption of United service at Willard, it is adding flights to O’Hare from Bloomington/Normal, Kalamzaoo, Mich., Lansing, Mich., and LaCrosse, Wis.
The press release began, “United today announced it will reach 750 flights per day this summer from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, 200 more than its next largest competitor and the largest schedule ever flown by any airline operating here.” United’s press release used the phrase “next largest competitor” three more times.
Willard has at various times in the past offered multiple airlines, including Delta, TWA, Northwest and Vision along with American.
United’s service from Bloomington/Normal will begin May 7 and operate four times daily.